Apr 18 13 Reasons Why NOT

I’m sure you’ve heard of the hit series Thirteen Reasons Why that recently made its debut on Netflix.

If you haven’t, it was based off a novel and has caused an uproar on social media and spiked many tough conversations. It’s the story of a high school student, Hannah Baker, who takes her own life in the midst of suffering. Before she does so, she records herself on thirteen different tapes explaining the thirteen reasons of what drove her to end her life.

These tapes are dedicated to different incidences and different people who drove her to the end of herself. Hannah intends for each single one of these people to get the tapes to hear what they did.

Hannah Baker was the new girl, moved from far away and much like today’s society, attended a high school that was full of hurt people and hurtful people. Rumors were spread, pictures were sent, words were said, whispers were heard, people were betrayed, and friends were lost.

She decided she couldn’t take it anymore; the rumors.

The bullying.

The loneliness.

The betrayal.

The whispers.

While watching this, my heart was broken over the reality and rawness of the story that unfolded. Although this series focused on suicide, it also spoke to many other issues; drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse and violence, domestic abuse, rape, and bullying.

These issues are SO. REAL. As a high school student in the public-school system, I am sure of one thing, this story isn’t just cinematic; this story happens EVERY SINGLE DAY.

It is happening.

It might be happening in your own life right now, or in your friends, maybe even your own child.

While this series gave you Thirteen Reasons Why Hannah Baker took her own life, I am going to give you

Thirteen Reasons Why you SHOULDN’T…

1) You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalms 139:14)

2) You are WORTHY.

3) You are made in HIS IMAGE.

4) Your body is a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

5) Your body is NOT YOUR OWN. It belongs to Jesus.

6) You are MORE; More than the whispers, rumors, and loneliness.

7) Death has already BEEN DEFEATED; whatever you are fighting, Jesus already died for it.

8) YOU HAVE A PURPOSE.

9) Ultimately, you aren’t in control, GOD IS.

10) Our God is BIGGER.

11) You can’t give victory to the enemy. Those lies you hear, are solely of the enemy. Don’t let him win.

12) You aren’t alone.

13) God’s plans for you are PROSPEROUS. It's not cliché, it’s the truth.

If you are considering self-harm or suicide, or are a victim of any of the issues mentioned, I assure you, you aren’t alone and getting help is crucial.

You are worth so much more than the whispers.

Your life is precious.

In Christ,

Lauren Faith.

Click here to access a fundraiser that has t-shirts in support of my You Are Worth > Campaign. A portion of the proceeds will go towards "To Write Love On Her Arms", an organization devoted to mental health awareness and suicide prevention.